A former clerk of a Kwai Chung industrial building's owners' incorporation (OI), who pocketed OI funds totalling $387,000, was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment at District Court today (Friday).

Tang Kit-chin, 53, former accounts clerk of the Incorporated Owners of Wah Fat Industrial Building, today pleaded guilty before Judge Pang to nine sample charges.

Judge Pang said an immediate custodial penalty was imposed since the offences committed by the defendant constituted a breach of trust.

The judge added that he had considered the defendant's guilty plea and clear records in sentencing.

The case originated from a corruption complaint alleging that a former clerk of an owners' incorporation had used false documents to deceive funds. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the theft offences.

The court heard that the Wah Fat Industrial Building was managed by its Incorporated Owners.

The building provided an hourly parking service to its tenants, who had to make their parking payments to the cashier at the shroff.

At the time of the offences, Tang was employed as an accounts clerk by the Incorporated Owners.

Tang was responsible for depositing the parking fees received into the Incorporated Owners' designated bank account.

Tang resigned in December 1999. After her resignation, a new accounts clerk was recruited. She discovered discrepancies in the ledgers.

It was subsequently revealed that Tang had stolen $387,573 in total from the Incorporated Owners between May 1998 and June 1999.

The prosecution was today represented by Government Counsel Victor Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Larry Lam.